It is indeed true that the news is full of the health benefits of chocolate these days. However, there are also some reasons to be concerned as well. For instance, even very small amounts of theobromine (a caffeine relative found in chocolate) can double the risk of prostate cancer in men. Another substance found in chocolate (alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol) has been shown to be carcinogenic. Chocolate is also a known trigger for migraines, and one study also showed that elderly women who consumed chocolate daily had a lower bone density that those who consumed it less than once/week. Chocolate can also be addictive, and while it may initially improve mood, some people find that are happier once they have given it up (after the initial withdrawal period).

Sally Christensen is a retired cooking instructor at the NEWSTART Lifestyle Program. She has been teaching others how to cook healthfully at NEWSTART, Reversing Diabetes seminars, and local community classes for almost 20 years. Sally was a major contributor and editor of the well regarded NEWSTART Lifestyle Cookbook. She has also done cooking shows for television, reaching audiences across the world.